Search our database of over 12,000 funeral homes from the comfort of your home. Once you've narrowed your selection down by location, price and services offered, you can contact the funeral home directly to start working through the process.

You are unlikely to want to buy a casket now, but you should get an idea of how much one costs and what options there are for purchasing so that you can put aside the appropriate amount of money for your funeral.

From a traditional funeral service to a scattering ceremony, there are many options when deciding what type of service you’d like (i.e., private or public viewing, a graveside ceremony, a memorial service, etc.). The best decision is that which fits you and your family the best, and a funeral director would be able to walk you through your options.

A funeral home is common for a traditional burial, but depending on the type of service you decide on (e.g., a memorial service or ash scattering ceremony), choosing a unique location that reflects your loved one’s specific interests, such as a lake, a church, or a garden is a memorable way to personalize the service.

Once you’ve chosen the type of service and the location, you can start planning the ceremony itself. Things to consider and incorporate may include readings (such as prayers, poems or other readings), music (live or recorded), pallbearers, eulogists and other speakers, and memorial videos, to name a few.

A life insurance policy can help you ensure that your loved ones are financially protected after you pass away. Not only can it be used to cover final expenses, but it can help replace your income or be used as inheritance for a loved one. A life insurance payout is available immediately when you pass, which is another reason it is a popular tool for protecting loved ones.

The final resting place is an important decision and there are many options to consider. For burials, you can choose a private cemetery, a veteran’s cemetery or other private property. For scattering cremated remains, choose a place that is special to or reminds you of your loved one, such as the ocean, a park, or on private property (with permission). Memorial reefs, space, and keepsake jewelry are also popular final resting places for cremated remains.

Our Funeral Planning Guide PDF covers a wider range of information such as additional tasks for planning a funeral as well as information on how to wind down your loved one's estate and affairs.

Protect what matters. Make a plan for what happens to your assets and any minor children in the event of your death or incapacity. If your estate is relatively straightforward, you can draft your legal documents online by answering a few questions. For more complicated estates, consulting an estate attorney is recommended.

Once you have made your plans, you should store important documents, such as your will, marriage and birth certificates, military records, life insurance policies, estate planning documents and a copy of your funeral plans somewhere where loved ones can easily find them.